Semper Fi

The interesting characters and all of their conflicts are all right there onscreen -- the cast is excellent -- but the 'prison break' is such a far-fetched idea it's difficult to invest in it.

Both halves are handled well by director Henry Alex Rubin, who also co-wrote the film with U.S. Army vet Sean Mullin. But whenever the film shifts its focus to one side of its story, the other suffers.

Though professionally smooth in execution, "Semper Fi" has the frustrating sum impact of a movie at fundamental conflict with itself.

Courtney and Wolff are acting their asses off in this movie, but hardly anyone is helping them.

Neither substantial enough to work as compelling drama nor sufficiently suspenseful as action thriller.

This misty-eyed ode to male bonding might be heartfelt, but is so preposterously plotted that it's impossible to take seriously.

Semper Fi leans heavily on male codes of honor but doesnt fully explore the motivations for the primary players, a group of Marines trying to re-acclimate to life in upstate New York. As a result, the final act suffers.

Rubin and Mullin get points for not making this a traditional buddy movie, but their decision to take the plot down an unexpected road -- and never getting back to the pure feeling of friendship that drives the first half -- leaves Semper Fi lacking.

Contrived, undercooked and increasingly implausible despite solid performances by Jai Courtney and Nat Wolff. It's not nearly as gripping, powerful nor genuinely heartfelt as Conviction and Trial By Fire .

Semper Fi is a dignified film that gives Jai Courtney room to shine and is always impressionable in its open-hearted emotions.